UPDATE 2-US to require details of fracking on federal land

* 14 pct of U.S. natgas output was on federal land in 2010
(Adds details, background)

By Ayesha Rascoe

WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department
plans to issue a proposal soon forcing companies to reveal the
chemicals they use in the so-called fracking drilling process
on federal lands, as the Obama administration responds to
public safety concerns over the shale exploration boom.

David Hayes, deputy secretary at the Interior Department,
told a federal shale gas advisory panel on Monday that the
department hopes to issue disclosure rules for hydraulic
fracturing on federal lands in "a couple of months." It plans
to finalize the guidelines about 12 months after that.

Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting a mix of water,
sand, and chemicals into shale formations at high pressures to
extract oil and gas.

"The high level of concern about the nature of fracking
chemicals suggests the complete disclosure of all chemical
components and composition of fracking fluids would improve
public confidence," Hayes told the Energy Department's shale
gas panel.

Calling the current hydraulic fracturing rules that were
developed in 1982 "outdated," Hayes said the department is also
working to develop rules focused on ensuring well integrity and
managing waste water.
Continued...